“The last time I played running back besides a little this year with indoor ball (Steelhawks) was at Central,” Cohen said. “It’s definitely been a while. It was definitely an adjustment to start out with. During meetings in camp I was with the players taking notes and trying to stay a day ahead of the kids. It hasn’t been too bad and I’ve been in offensive coordinator Kyle Haas’ hip pocket.”

Cohen, who volunteered with the Golden Hawks in 2011 as an assistant defensive line coach, was promoted to the staff this summer by second-year head coach Joe Henrich after the departure of coach Todd Breiner.

Despite having been defensive-oriented for much of his playing days, Cohen, who led the Patriot League and was tied for 11th in the nation with nine sacks in ’09, has used his knowledge on that side of the ball to help with his present position.

“When we’re taking fakes in our play-action pass game I tell the backs to always carry through because as a linebacker we’re always looking for things to tip us off,” he said. “That’s one thing I preach with these guys. And just general toughness. More so for me, I want these guys to develop a toughness and attacking mentality with pass blocking and running, especially.”

“He was an O-lineman at Central a year above me,” said Cohen, a 2006 Central graduate. “I’m still with a Central guy, but we’re Beca guys now.”

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Name: Dionisio Roman

School: Delaware Valley Regional High School

Class: Senior

Position: Running back/defensive back

Statistics: Roman single-handedly rushed Delaware Valley (2-0) to a 27-20 victory over Rahway last weekend by compiling a whopping 325 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries. Roman leads New Jersey with 530 rushing yards through two games (265.0 per game).

The Voorhees High School football team hasn’t won more than two games in a single season since going 4-6 in 2006.

The Vikings also haven’t started 3-0 since opening their 1995 campaign at 7-0 en route to a 10-1 record and NJSIAA Central Group 2 sectional title.

A win over Delaware Valley (2-0) on Friday night would certainly put the team in the right direction under first-year coach Bob Angstadt.

“It’s a fantastic start but there’s a lot of football left that’s going to define this team,” Angstadt said. “Our defense has been playing fantastic. Defense sets up the offense, the offense kills the clock and the other team has limited reps.

“Our plan was to move back toward a running type of offense and that’s what we’ve been able to do. Run the ball and control the clock. Puts points on the board and limits turnovers.”

Senior Nick Ruggiero has been the workhorse in the backfield. He rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in the Vikings’ 35-0 Mid-State 38 Conference Mountain Division win over Governor Livingston on Saturday.

Ruggiero, also a starter at defensive end, has eight sacks this season, tying him for the state lead according to The Star-Ledger as Voorhees is striving for its first winning season since going 7-3 in 2003.

“It’s pretty exciting because it’s our last year since we’re seniors,” Ruggiero said. “It’s like a new era and everyone’s trying to break the bad habits of losing seasons. We want to show people Voorhees isn’t a school that always loses.

“I think (the offense) is working better. It’s more like Voorhees football, smash-mouth football. I think it’s a better style of football. It’s more old school, and I think it’s going to lead us to success.”